Weardale Lithium

UK-based Weardale Lithium employs advanced Direct Lithium Extraction to sustainably reclaim battery-grade lithium from geothermal brines. Transforming a former industrial site, the firm strengthens a resilient domestic supply chain for EVs and renewables.

Company Location

Country:

United Kingdom

City:

Durham

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Company Overview

Weardale Lithium Limited, founded in 2018 and headquartered in Durham, England, is a natural resources development company specializing in extracting lithium from geothermal brines. By integrating lithium recovery with geothermal energy production at a former cement works site in Eastgate, County Durham, the company aims to secure a sustainable, low-carbon supply chain for battery-grade lithium in Europe and accelerate the UK’s transition to a net-zero economy.

Battery Technology

Weardale Lithium employs Direct Lithium Extraction (DLE) technology in partnership with KBR’s PureLi and Geolith’s Li-Capt processes to extract lithium from underground brines. The method uses ion-exchange materials to capture lithium, refines it into battery-grade lithium carbonate on-site via carbonization, and reinjects treated brine in a closed-loop system powered by renewable energy, reducing water use and carbon emissions.

Products

Battery-grade lithium carbonate produced on-site from geothermal brines using DLE technology integrating KBR PureLi and Geolith Li-Capt processes.

Recent Projects

In February 2025, Durham County Council approved Weardale Lithium’s commercial extraction facility targeting 10,000 tonnes annual lithium carbonate capacity by 2026. In January 2025, KBR was contracted to engineer the demonstration facility with initial production in 2026. The company is conducting continuous flow trials and participates in the UK’s Critical Minerals and Battery Strategies to optimize extraction efficiency and support national supply chain resilience.

Investors

Funding includes a £1.4M Innovate UK Grant-II award in 2023; support from the Advanced Propulsion Centre; and a seed funding round in 2023 led by Marechale Capital Plc.

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